Common Myna vs Black-bellied Starling
Acridotheres tristis compared with Notopholia corusca
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Myna | Black-bellied Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acridotheres tristis | Notopholia corusca |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Sturnidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 38.0 cm (15.0 in) | 21.4 cm (8.4 in) |
| Weight | 120.0 g (4.23 oz) | 57.666666666666664 g (2.03 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects, fruit, grain, and kitchen scraps. Bold and opportunistic around human settlements. | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 | 2-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Common Myna only
Black-bellied Starling only
Common Myna
Urban areas, farmland, and open woodland. Closely associated with humans and one of the most successful avian urban colonizers.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Myna
A noisy, cackling chatter and melodious whistling mixed together. An accomplished mimic of other birds and sounds. Gives repeated 'mee-ow' and harsh 'quarr' alarm calls.
Black-bellied Starling
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Myna
Native to South and Southeast Asia. Introduced and invasive in Australia, South Africa, Middle East, and many Pacific islands.
Black-bellied Starling
Conservation Status
Common Myna
Black-bellied Starling
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Myna
Brown body with a glossy black hood, yellow bill, and bare yellow skin behind the eye. White wing patches conspicuous in flight. Yellow legs.
Strong, slightly curved yellow bill
Black-bellied Starling
About These Birds
Common Myna
The common myna has been named one of the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN. Originally from South Asia, it has been introduced to tropical regions worldwide where it outcompetes native birds for nest cavities. Despite its invasive status, the myna is an intelligent and charismatic bird capable of mimicking human speech.
Black-bellied Starling
The Black-bellied Starling is a glossy, medium-sized starling of East African forests and woodland edges, with males showing iridescent greenish-black plumage and a distinctive black belly. It ranges from Kenya and Tanzania south to Malawi and Zimbabwe. It forages in small flocks on fruits, berries, and invertebrates, often in the canopy or mid-level of moist forests.